Books for March

Book group discussed The Cat's Table last week.  This was my recommendation.  
In the early 1950s, an eleven-year-old boy boards a huge liner bound for England – a ‘castle that was to cross the sea’. At mealtimes, he is placed at the lowly ‘Cat's Table’ with an eccentric group of grown-ups and two other boys, Cassius and Ramadhin. As the ship makes its way across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, into the Mediterranean, the boys become involved in the worlds and stories of the adults around them, tumbling from one adventure and delicious discovery to another, ‘bursting all over the place like freed mercury’. And at night, the boys spy on a shackled prisoner – his crime and fate a galvanizing mystery that will haunt them forever.
Really enjoyed the book.  It was a nice light read for the month of February.   The food was good.  Lot's of salads, curry rice and veggies, dessert. 
For April we are reading Moloka'i.  Looking forward to it!

 

Cutting for Stone

I finished Cutting for Stone last week.  Really great book and worth the investment.  It does take a bit to get into it and it is not a quick read. 
" Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon at a mission hospital in Addis Ababa. Orphaned by their mother’s death in childbirth and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution. Yet it will be love, not politics—their passion for the same woman—that will tear them apart and force Marion, fresh out of medical school, to flee his homeland. He makes his way to America, finding refuge in his work as an intern at an underfunded, overcrowded New York City hospital. When the past catches up to him—nearly destroying him—Marion must entrust his life to the two men he thought he trusted least in the world: the surgeon father who abandoned him and the brother who betrayed him."

Our book group had a great discussion with this book.  Lot's of conversation on the relationship of the boys with their father, step father, their mother and the woman who betrays them.  Also, good questions about the medical issues in the book.  Probably the most conversation we've had on a book.
Next up...  The Cat's table.

French Macarons- the first attempt

Last week I attempted the French Macaron.
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/almond-macarons.aspx



Egg whites

 

Lemon curd



I used the recipe on Fine Cooking partly because there is a video with it and it was pretty easy to follow.
I have always been intimidated by the Macaron.  I had heard it was difficult and that it takes ton's of practice.  I think for a first attempt they came out pretty good.

Couple of things- almond flour is expensive!  13.99 for a lb.  Also, I could not get the darn things flat!  Mine kept puffing up.  They look like little hamburgers.  But the taste was pretty darn good.  I did a lemon curd in the middle of half and a Chocolate Ganache in the other half.  I took them to work and everyone gobbled them up.  I would give them a B- for a first attempt.  It definitely got me inspired to try again.  This time with some color and flavor. 
I found this blog that has some helpful hints on making Macarons   http://www.eatlivetravelwrite.com/2011/04/how-to-make-macarons-whats-working-for-me-right-now/

I'm going to try her suggestions on piping them and see if that works.  Based on her writing, it appears it takes most people a few trys. 



Could not get them flat!



The finished product.  A little hamburger with Chocolate Ganache

Beautiful Ruins

Finished reading Beautiful Ruins last week.  Really enjoyed it! The story takes us to Italy, LA, Edinburgh and eventually Seattle.  It includes some Hollywood royalty, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, some humor, love and sadness.  It was a quick read and I would highly recommend it.   Plus it made me want to travel to Italy!    Richard Burton is a fascinating character.  When I look at his photo's I don't think he was particularly attractive but he had charisma.  On the screen he was powerful.  This book felt like a movie to me.  It was very visual and I kept picturing all of the characters.  I'm curious if they have optioned it be make a movie which would be fun because it is about making movies.
I'm almost finished with Cutting for Stone.  Much tougher read but really enjoyable. 

2013

WOW!  how did 3 months go by.  I have been terrible at updating the blog and am going to shoot to get on a regular schedule again.
I finished my run after Thanksgiving.  It went really well.  Didn't break any records but I finished.  Now I've signed up to do another half marathon with some friends from work.  It's not till June so I'm taking a bit of a break.  But not too long.  I need to start training again by end of February.
Couple of New Years resolutions ;

• Go back to Yoga!
• Try a new recipe every week
• pay down the credit cards
• update the blogs - burger and this one- regularly.

That's not too bad.  All completely within reach.
I should probably add- don't eat so many pastries.  I have a new project at work with La Boulange.  I'm eating a ton of pastries.  At this rate I will need to increase the yoga and exercise or buy new pants.  Have to start limiting the goodies when I'm in the market. 
Love the project.  It is all the things I enjoy- food, Paris, craziness!  It's going to be a great year.

Finished the half marathon!

Pastries!

STOP!

Night before the race

Tomorrow is race day.  Today I pampered myself with getting a massage and a pedicure.  Then I attended the inspiration dinner.  Sat next to 2 very nice women named Diane and Donna.  Both are walking the half tomorrow so I will have someone to walk with if I decide not to run so much.  Right now I'm planning on doing the run/walk thing.  My only concern is my left foot.  I've had this pain on the top of my foot for a couple of weeks now.  It does not seem to be getting any better.  I'm just hoping to ignore the pain and finish the race.   This time tomorrow....  I'll be posting the details. 

5 days

Yep.  that's right.  In 5 days I will run/walk 13.1 miles.  Not bad.  I added a couple of hundred dollars to my fundraising which puts me $155 away from my goal.  I'm really happy with that.  A big thank you to everyone who has donated.  I can't wait to send you my update when I cross the finish line.

13.1 miles....  here I come!

Arboretum 11/17- Last team run!

Wow!  we just finished our last team run for the season.  The marathon is next Sunday and I'll be racing whether I'm ready or not.  Let's hope I'm ready.
On Saturday we met at the Arboretum off of Lake Washington Blvd.  It was a pretty big group and the weather wasn't bad.  Overcast but no rain.  I only did 4.5 miles.  At some point I hit stop on my running app so it did not record the entire run.  That is why the map only shows 2.5 miles but I promise you I did more.  I walked/ran the first part with the team captain, Sandy.  The 2nd part I ran with 2 runners that are close to my pace-- slow but still moving.  It is a shame I met up with them on the last run because I could have used the company on some of the earlier runs.  Oh well, I'll try to find them next Sunday and tag along if they will have me.   I'm feeling pretty good for next week.  I think i will be tired and sore at the end but I know I can do it. 
After the run, I headed home for a quick shower and then I picked up my friend Suzi and her daughter Catie out in Bellevue.  They were in town for a dance competition and I gave them a quick tour of the city.  We went to Pike Place market for lunch and took in the sights of the market place on a busy Saturday.  Then I drove them over to the space needle for some photo's and then back to Bellevue.  Traffic was crazy but we made it in time for their dance drama. 
I still need $300 to hit my fundraising goal.  I'm hoping for a last minute miracle.  If you are reading this and haven't donated, look to the left on the page.  It is tax deductible and goes to a great cause. 
Thank you to everyone and I may do another post before next Sunday.  Stay tuned! 

Suzi and Catie at the market

the bridget tower

Catie getting ready to add her gum to the famous Gum Wall

Flowers at the market

11/10 West Seattle

2 weeks to go!  Hard to believe it is so close and I will be running 13.1 miles in 2 weeks.  Hope I'm ready!
This weekend we ran at Alki Beach in West Seattle.  It was a beautiful but cold run.  It was a high of 31 degrees when we started at 8am on Saturday.  Luckily it warmed up as we started to move.  About 2 miles in, I was no longer cold.  I started off walking with Coach Zak.  We did the first 2 miles mainly walking and a little bit of running.  He stopped at 2.5 miles at the water station and I continued on.  I did about 6.75 miles with the group.  Then we practice ended, I walked another half mile back to Starbucks for a coffee and then back to my car.  Gave me a total of 7.75 miles.  Not bad.  I felt fine afterwards but I still feel a little concerned about doing the entire 13.  It just may be a lot of walking.
Afterwards I broke my habit of eating bad food.  I went home and made myself some scrambled eggs with Egg Beaters.  I have got to stop the stacks of pancakes every Saturday! 
Alki beach was beautiful that early.  The only people out were walking dogs and most of the dogs had on cute little coats.  I love a dog in a coat and I so wish my dogs would let me dress them!  No chance.

The Team!

sidewalk art at Alki Beach

West Seattle Lady Liberty

Cool Bottle Yard

For those of you who have donated recently, Thank you so much.  For those of you who have waited for the last minute, this is it!  This week is our last to collect donations.  Make it happen!

11/3 Running Elements in Bellevue

3 weeks from tomorrow is the Seattle Amica marathon.  I hope I'm ready.  I missed the longest run of the season when I went to Sacramento last weekend.  I tried to run there but it was hot!  I made the mistake of going out mid-day Saturday and it was in the mid 80's.  I made it 4 miles and then I was done.  And I was frustrated with my running App.  I hit stop at one point and it quit tracking my run.  So, I started over.  Then  I hit stop again.  That's when I decided to head home.  We had our monthly bookgroup meeting that night and it was a great time. Super glad I went even if it did mean missing practice.  
Today we met at Running Elements in Bellevue.  I did just under 7 miles.  It wasn't too bad.  At the end I felt like I could have gone a little more.  I'm not worried about the first 10 miles but the last 3 have me concerned.  The rain had just stopped this morning and the weather wasn't too bad.  I noticed 2 things- 1st was how green everything smelled.  It smelled really fresh until we passed by someone yard who must have just put down fertilizer and then it stunk!  2nd thing was how beautiful the fall colors were.  The trees are crazy red, orange and yellow.  Really beautiful.
My running pal Martha showed up to help with the water stop.  Not sure if I mentioned this before or not but she hurt her knee a few weeks back and was told to rest.  That has stretched to almost 2 months and she has had to withdraw from the race.  Really disappointing.   But, she will be there in spirit and I will represent both of us!

my breakfast

 After the run I stopped in a little hole in the wall place and grabbed breakfast.  2 eggs, bacon and 2 pancakes.  YUM.  The perfect breakfast.  When I got home I took the dogs out for a longer than usual walk.  I thought since I really needed to go more miles I should try to add to my daily mileage with the dogs.
My fundraising is now at $850.  Still need another $850.  Yikes.  3 weeks to raise a lot of money.
If you are reading this, the link to donate is on the left hand side.  Feel free!  If you already have donated, thank you.   It will make the difference in someones life.   I sincerely appreciate the support to me and to the program.  

The colors of Fall

Colors of Fall #2

A couple of more update and then I'll have to find a new subject to blog about.